Dental Plans Still Popular With Employees, But Managers Are Seeking Alternative Solutions

Dental plans are still a popular option for employees but managers are finding them more difficult to provide due to rising costs and evolving healthcare plans and options.

In a recent survey by this newsletter of employee benefits managers, 54% said employees had asked about a dental plan for themselves or their families.

More than one in three managers who had a dental plan reported they had dropped or severely modified their offering.

Of those managers reporting, 12% said they were considering adding a dental plan for their employees but most (71%) indicated the costs would be borne by workers.

At the same time, among the benefits most requested by respondents were long-term care and dental plans.

With more and more of the healthcare premium burden being paid by employees, finding the right dental plan is a challenge for HR professionals.

New Plans Entering Market

Most recently, several new plans have entered the market, led by GE Benefits Group’s new Signature Dental Plan.

This group now offers plans with rates as low as $5.50 for an individual.

According to Bob Brodell, National Sales Representative for Benefit Solutions by GE, its plan can be offered as a standalone product or embedded into an overall benefits program.

Adds Brodell, “we have created a plan that can be offered by the healthcare insurance provider, embedded in a company’s overall benefits package, or sold as a standalone offering to employees.”

“We created this program to be flexible, affordable and most important, desirable for employees,” he added.

Benefits managers indicate that they found having a dental plan to be very advantageous for recruiting and retention purposes as well as adding to the general well being of employees.

While no recent studies have measured the positive impact of having these plans, benefits managers report there is considerable employee dismay when such benefits have been withdrawn from existing offerings.

Said one HR executive, “we really took a lot of grief when we pulled the option in 2005.”

Adds another, “we tracked the requests for dental with new applicants and found it growing as a preferred option.”

Among the most requested features were cosmetic, preventive (checkups and teeth cleaning) and options for adult braces.

For additional information, contact Bob Brodell, at Robert.Brodell@GE.com